Hello,

I'm a beginner at Go and I followed the http://www.playgo.to/iwtg/en/ tutorials and in section 30, Game Examples, on the second game example, at move 54 white chooses to "Threaten to save the two white stones." at E9.

I don't understand why just "threaten to save", not just save them directly by playing at F9?

Because black plays E9 and the stones are still cut off and dead.

Oh, OK. Actually white first prevented black from closing his territory there.

If white were to play F9, and then black E9, the three stones would have been removed at the end of the game, right?

Yes

It's clear now.
Thank you!

Hi Paul,

Let's make sure it's clear...

Suppose instead of E9 for , W plays A5 (to prevent B A5 atari on ).
Then, what should B play for ?

Hello EdLee,

Well, I'd say B should play at D9, in order to clearly create a border for the upper-right territory and also gain some influence in the upper left part of the board, where it seems that white is (kind of) in control.

Am I right?

Hi Paul,

D9 is correct. What are the next two moves ( and ) ?

In your original diagram, what are the next four moves ( , , , ) ?

Hmm, if playes D9, should play at B9 in order to make a border for his upper left territory and then, at C9 to get a hold of that neutral teritorry.

In the original diagram:

should play at F9 in order to capture and , then at C9 to get and , now I think both should pass since it seems to me that both territories are settled.

Although I may be mistaken since the game from "The Interactive Way To Go" played at D9, then at A5 and finally at B6. Of course I was greedy to remove black's stones and forgot that if played at D9 those were in his territory anyway.

No.

A5.
D9.
Your and are wrong. Try again.

at F9 is correct.
But at C9 is wrong.
Pass is also wrong.
Try again.

When you said "It's clear now" actually it's not what you think.

Well I've been playing this game for a week now and I just finished that interactive tutorial, meanwhile I've got defeated by the GoDroid application on my smartphone, but I enjoy the game!


I will try to come up with two new solutions to your questions tonight when I'll have some free time.

Thanks for the questions!

Ok, I got some time, so:

A5
D9
C9
F9

For the original:

F9
D9
A5
B6

Hi Paul, OK.

wrong. Some kind of blind spot.

Oh...

E9

Yes.

Yes.

Welcome and Congrats.

Now, to re-cap your original question:In the following variation (first posed in Post 6)...... Can you see that at D9 also "threatens to save the two stones ( ) " ?

Things are hopefully a little clearer now than at post 5.

It's very nice that only a week has passed and you already get a feel for how Go is very precise
(and therefore, as you'll find out soon enough, can be extremely unforgiving. )

Well, yes, it's about the territory, not about really saving them.



Hopefully.


Thank you for taking the time to guide me!